Downtown Community Christmas draws record crowd to Crossroads

They came by the hundreds in cars, riding bicycles and on foot - homeless veterans, those who are alone and families struggling with job losses.
 
At their destination, the annual Downtown Community Christmas Party, they found the true meaning of Christmas.
 
With the event moved this year to Crossroads Mission, the community outdid itself to ensure the less fortunate had a Merry Christmas with a hot meal, warm clothes and for the little ones a new toy from Santa Claus.
 
Their efforts were met with gratitude by a record crowd.
 
"It's really nice of people to provide this," said Jessie Platas, a veteran who now lives under a tree, as he tucked into a full plate of turkey and the fixings. It was doubly special, he said, because Christmas Day is also his birthday.
 
Without the event, it would have been hard to provide a nice Christmas for his family, said field worker Jose Isabel Estrada Vazquez as he ate dinner with his four boys.
 
"The mission is good. The people are good who do this," he said.
 
"It's great the community offers this," said Arturo Castello as he held his baby and kept an eye on his other two small children while his wife picked out new clothing for the little ones.
 
"It helps those in need," said the father whose hours have been cut back, making it difficult for the family to make ends meet. "This time of year, everything's helpful."
 
They were among the estimated 3,000 people who attended this year's event, said Barbara Rochester, mission spokeswoman. Another 200 meals were delivered to the elderly and homebound, along with a gift of their choice.
 
She said that's the largest number of people who have come to the annual event since it began 20 years ago in downtown Yuma through the generosity of Art Everett at his former restaurant. Rochester recalled that 168 people showed up for dinner that day and "we were astounded there were so many people to feed."
 
Over the years, the event has grown but somehow the community always provides.
 
Rochester attributes the record crowd this year to the economic downturn, resulting in job cutbacks and losses.
 
"We're seeing people who never needed help before," she said. "We're seeing a lot of families living along the river. I'm so happy they came."
 
She said the mission, with the help of the community, is doing what it can to help.
 
For the Christmas Day event, agribusinessman Gary Pasquinelli, a longtime supporter of the Downtown Community Christmas, again rounded up donations from his fellow growers, enough that people were sent home with fresh fruit and vegetables.
 
Two stores provided a semi-truckload of new children's clothing, Toys for Tots contributed 2,000 toys, the community donated 150 turkeys, Kneader's Bakery donated fresh bread and Texas Roadhouse fresh rolls, while Coca Cola provided the beverages, Rochester said. Jeremy Jumper brought over three jumpers and machines to make sno cones, popcorn and cotton candy for the kids.
 
It also took many hands to make the event happen. One group of volunteers came in at 1 a.m. to start cooking, while hundreds of other volunteers lent a hand throughout the day.
 
This was her first time, said Lila Afoa, and she was "loving it. The people here are so amazing, both the helpers and those sitting at the tables. The generosity is so amazing."
 
By now this year's Downtown Community Christmas is but a warm memory. However, the need for assistance continues, Rochester said, asking that anyone who has a job to offer call her at 726-0491.